Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) is recognizing two student veterans, Luis Benitez and Roderick Farmer, as part of its Veterans Day observance. Both students shared their experiences transitioning from military service to academic life at PBA.
Luis Benitez served in the U.S. Air Force for 13 years as a flight medic before enrolling in PBA’s Master of Science in Health Science program. He expects to graduate in November 2026. Reflecting on his decision to join the military, Benitez said, “I wanted to be able to provide my family with a good life. I wanted my son to be able to attend college. When I was looking at options, the military seemed like a good fit. I had a fighting spirit and a love for travel, so it was truly a perfect fit.”
Benitez described his time in the Air Force: “I feel like I did a lot of growing up while I was in the military. I was a flight medic in the Air Force for 13 years. I learned how to provide medical care to people while in the air. I began to climb ranks. I became an instructor, then an evaluator, and, right before I left the military, I was the head of the Educational Training Department at my hospital in Hawaii.”
After leaving the military, Benitez sought guidance about his next steps: “When my time in the military came to an end, I was not sure what I wanted to do next. So, I spent time praying and asking the Holy Spirit for guidance, and eventually, He put it on my heart to go into the field of nursing. It was a little odd, because it was the last thing that I wanted to do. I had been a flight medic for 13 years and had already worked my way through the ranks.”
He recounted his path toward PBA: “I found PBA and applied for the nursing program here. Some time passed, and we didn’t hear back from them. My wife and I were getting a little bit worried because we had already begun the process of moving back to Florida. We ended up driving down, and on the way down, my acceptance letter arrived in my email! I went crazy when I got the email! The whole journey was amazing.”
Looking ahead after his service career, Benitez stated: “I want to get a business development role in a pharmaceutical company, clinical research company, medical device company or something like that.” On how PBA supports his goals he added: “When I started in the nursing program things did not go as expected. I talked with Al Andino…and he helped me contact Dr. Chris Hickey…Dr Hickey…helped me realize that pursuing a Master of Science in Health Science was best way achieve my goals.”
Roderick Farmer also transitioned from long-term service; he spent 28 years with U.S Air Force before enrolling at PBA where he is working toward both bachelor’s degree in ministry and master’s degree divinity through its Accelerated Ministry program.
Farmer explained why he joined armed forces: “My family has history working military federal services so wanted follow their footsteps…That…and wanted get out New York suburbs 9-to-5 life but didn’t want go college so chose join military.”
He recalled initial assignments: “I did basic training Texas then went Colorado technical school…thought going see world instead stationed New Jersey where family lived…”
Farmer’s move toward ministry followed health challenges: “The Lord told me quit job follow Him while hospital after spinal surgery…A hospital chaplain came affirmed what Lord told me…So left six-figure hospital job United States Department Veterans Affairs submitted God’s will…”
On finding support at PBA Farmer said: “At PBA have met some great faculty members like Dr Brian Shockey Dr Jesse Grenz…all classmates wonderful God-inspired students who despite age difference welcomed me into PBA family.”
His future plans are focused on helping others: “I want become chaplain or pastor want give back help people veterans…” He added about university support: “We start every class with prayer invite Holy Spirit into room ask Him help students learn professors teach Being prayed over really helpful because am 58 am back university setting again starting whole new path prayer helps.”
Veterans or their families interested learning more about educational benefits can contact Veteran Certifying Official Al Andino at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
